There’s something magical about this in-between season. The sun is still warm, the zinnias are still blooming, and you can feel the shift coming as fall quietly waits its turn. And here’s the thing — designing a life you love means preparing for and enjoying every season, and the little choices you make now in your garden can set you up for even more beauty later.
Here are 10 garden-focused ways to savor the moment and set yourself up for success:
1. Plant Now for September Blooms
Zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, and sunflowers still thrive in late heat. A quick round of succession planting now means you’ll enjoy color well into September.
2. Deadhead + Refresh
Snip back spent blooms, trim fading stems, and clean up beds. Removing old growth encourages fresh flowers and keeps your garden lively and productive.
3. Harvest Herbs Before They Fade
Basil, lemon balm, mint, and oregano are thriving. Pick them fresh for teas, toss them into summer salads, or dry a bundle to enjoy when the weather cools.
4. Save Seeds for Next Year
Collect seeds from your favorite flowers, such as zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, and sunflowers. Dry them thoroughly and tuck them into labeled envelopes. Next spring’s garden starts now, friends!
5. Feed Your Soil
Your garden has been working hard all summer. Refresh beds with compost, aged manure, or organic fertilizers to restore nutrients and prep for fall plantings. Healthy soil = happy blooms.
6. Tuck in Cool-Season Crops
Now’s the time to sow lettuces, kale, radishes, carrots, and other quick-growing veggies. You’ll be rewarded with a fall harvest just when you start craving fresh greens again.
7. Divide and Conquer Perennials
Late summer is perfect for dividing crowded perennials like daylilies, hostas, and irises. Dig, split, and replant to give them more space (and more blooms next season).
8. Boost Pollinator Power
Plant late-season bloomers like goldenrod, sedum, and echinacea to keep bees and butterflies coming. More pollinators = healthier gardens and better harvests.
9. Refresh Mulch for Moisture + Beauty
A fresh layer of mulch locks in moisture, suppresses weeds, and instantly gives your beds a polished, tidy look– all while protecting your plants as the season shifts.
10. Capture the Magic
Walk your garden at golden hour with a basket in hand. Clip a few zinnias, snip fresh herbs, and savor these last, lingering summer evenings. Sometimes designing a life you love looks like pausing long enough to enjoy what’s already growing.
Here’s to the Beauty Between Seasons
Late summer reminds us that beauty lives in transition. A little effort now sets up blooms for September, fresh harvests for fall, and joy for the season ahead.
I’ve gathered even more tips, recipes, and inspiration in the Country Living Connoisseur newsletter — where we talk about designing a life you love one season at a time. Join Us Here → CountryLivingConnoisseur.com